The Calgary Flames are in the midst of what could be some truly exciting years of hockey. While this season has been quite the anomaly—ranking near the bottom in nearly every offensive category—they still find themselves with a legitimate shot at sneaking into the playoffs.

This has only been possible with the emergence of what could potentially be a generational goaltender in Dustin Wolf. Players like this don’t come around often, and it would be a shame for him to waste away on an under-performing team. Wolf’s play might force the Flames’ hand, pushing them to speed up their retooling process and reach competitiveness sooner rather than later.

After an uneventful trade deadline and ongoing offensive struggles, there’s clearly still a lot of room for improvement. Much of that could come through trades this summer, though the idea of adding help through free agency shouldn’t be discounted.

It is thought that the Flames would have aggressively pursued 29-year-old Mikko Rantanen this summer, though he has since signed long-term with the Dallas Stars. While many top pending free agents are nearing an age where long-term deals are harder to justify, a few could still significantly help the Flames.

The 27-year-old, career Maple Leaf is undoubtedly the best free agent set to hit the market this summer. Marner is having another strong season in Toronto, recording 80 points in 63 games. His offensive output clearly overshadows any Flames player this season.

Marner has never dipped below 60 points over his NHL career. Even in injury-shortened seasons, he’s consistently produced impressive numbers. On average, Marner has been a 90-point-per-season player—a dream asset for any team.

Of course, concerns linger about playoff performance. The Leafs’ yearly struggles in the postseason are well-documented, but it seems unfair to pin that on a single player. Marner’s recent performance at the 4-Nations Faceoff, where he scored the overtime winner against Sweden and provided the primary assist on Connor McDavid’s overtime goal in the finals, proves his ability to deliver in big moments. Plus, his 25 points in 25 playoff games as a Leaf are nothing to overlook.

The bidding for Marner will be astronomical, with costs potentially reaching $12 to $13 million AAV. The Flames have the cap space to accommodate this, but can they make a compelling enough case to lure Marner? And would he even consider leaving Toronto?

Bennett is a familiar name for Flames fans. As the highest draft pick in franchise history, he spent the first seven years of his career in Calgary.

It’s fair to argue that Bennett was never truly put in a position to shine during his time with the Flames. His highest point total was 33, recorded during his first full season. Eventually, it became clear Bennett needed a fresh start, leading to his trade to the Florida Panthers in the 2020-21 season.

In Florida, Bennett established himself not necessarily as an offensive force, but as a player known for his 200-foot game and disruptive presence on the ice. His well-rounded play and reputation as an elite playoff performer make him an intriguing free-agent option. Over the last two playoff seasons, Bennett has recorded 29 points in 39 games, and his gritty style is well-suited to postseason play. His performance at the 4-Nations Face-off, where he scored the game-tying goal in the finals, further underscores his ability to perform in big games.

Like Marner, Bennett will attract significant interest. This could result in a substantial payday for the 28-year-old, even though he has never reached 50 points in a season. Of course, teams would be paying for more than just regular-season scoring.

If the Flames pursue Bennett, it likely won’t be their only big move. Bennett alone won’t resolve Calgary’s offensive struggles, so additional acquisitions would be necessary. The key question remains: Would Bennett even want to return to Calgary?

Ehlers is another intriguing name on the market this summer. At 29, he’s approaching the age where long-term contracts are a gamble.

While Ehlers has been a consistent presence for the Winnipeg Jets, his offensive contributions have been modest. His career-high of 64 points came back in the 2016-17 season. However, this season appears to be a breakout for Ehlers, as he’s currently a point-per-game player on a dominant Jets team.

Though his playoff performance has been underwhelming—just 14 points in 37 career games—a strong postseason this year could reshape perceptions and boost his market value.

Ehlers will likely be more affordable than Marner or Bennett but will still command a significant contract. While he’d be a valuable addition, it’s doubtful he alone could resolve Calgary’s offensive issues.

Beyond these three players, the free-agent forward class this summer skews older. It’s unlikely many will land in Calgary on anything beyond short-term deals. However, the Flames might consider adding veteran presence to complement their young core.

Could players like John Tavares (34), Brad Marchand (36), or Claude Giroux (36) make sense? Convincing them to join Calgary could be challenging, as they’re likely seeking immediate Stanley Cup contention. Still, if the Flames move current veterans like Nazem Kadri or Blake Coleman, bringing in players with winning pedigrees could be beneficial.

It appears the trade market could offer more intriguing opportunities. Acquiring Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee was a good start, but more is needed. Whether through signing key free agents or pursuing impactful trades, expect the Flames to be active in reshaping their roster.